APPLETON - Two city committees recommended Monday that Appleton proceed with a proposed new $29.8 million public library that would be built in place of the Soldiers Square parking ramp.

"I'm encouraged," Mayor Tim Hanna said afterward. "I think this continues to send a good, strong, positive message about the city and the good things that are happening here."

The city's Finance Committee voted 5-0 in support of the new library, which would be built as part of a mixed-use housing and retail development brought forth by Appleton developer Commercial Horizons. The Library Board's Building and Equipment Committee favored the project on a 3-0 vote.

The Common Council will consider the recommendation on April 4. The Library Board will consider it on April 17.

Approval by the council and board next month would move the project forward for further development and refinement by Commercial Horizons and city staff. It wouldn't give the green light to the project's design, construction or financing.

The proposed development calls for the demolition of the Soldiers Square parking ramp and the construction of a new 120,000-square-foot library and more than 300 apartments or condominiums. The development would occur in phases and add $66.3 million in tax base.

Before the demolition, a temporary parking lot would be constructed south of the Appleton YMCA to compensate for the loss of the ramp. Later, a new parking ramp would be built on the site of the temporary parking lot. It would have space for public parking, YMCA members and tenants in the development.

Appleton's investment in the project is estimated to reach at least $56.6 million — $29.8 million for the library and $26.8 million for the new parking ramp. The total doesn't include additional costs to finish the interior of the library, some of which could be covered by private fundraising.

The development is within one of Appleton's tax incremental financing districts, and tax credits could be in play to offset a portion of the cost.

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A large crowd listens to Mayor Tim Hanna give a presentation on the proposed new Appleton Public Library and mixed-use development during a meeting on March 15.(Photo: Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

Commercial Horizons was one of five developers to present library proposals to the city. The selected option was ranked the highest of eight proposals evaluated by city staff.

More than 20 residents expressed a mix of support and opposition for the development during a forum Monday.

Supporters said the development would meet the library's space needs, add to the city's tax base and attract young professionals and young families to downtown Appleton.

"I don't think we can be competitive as a city without a 21st-century library," Tania Shook said.

Opponents were concerned with high taxes, traffic congestion and inadequate parking. Some preferred to renovate and expand the existing library. Several called for a referendum to give voters a direct say in the matter.

"This project, this system is slowly slipping out of control," William Mys said.

"I would ask a lot more questions and slow this train down," added Mike Thomas.

The city has no plans to hold a referendum on the library.

Hanna said the mixed-use proposal has the support of the YMCA, which owns the Soldiers Square parking ramp, and U.S. Venture, which will build its new $49.5 million headquarters on a nearby bluff site.

In 2015, the council rejected a plan to build a new stand-alone library on the bluff site.